Dickens story is far from over

Jazza Dickens (right) with Jon Fernandes during the Super Bantamweight Title fight at the Echo Arena, Liverpool.

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Heartbroken Jazza Dickens has been told he can still become an elite fighter despite suffering the pain of a first professional defeat.

Dickens’ challenge for the vacant British super-bantamweight title came to a shuddering halt when he was stopped by Kid Galahad in the 10th round of their fight on Saturday night.

The Liverpool fighter had established a lead on the judges’ scorecards in Rotherham but was tiring rapidly as the contest headed into the final stages.

Galahad capitalised on Dickens’ fatigue and sent him to the canvas with a stinging left cross.

Dickens got to his feet but referee Mark Green ruled he was in no state to continue and waved the fight off after 1.34 of the round.

The 22-year-old was distraught as he left the ring at the Magna Centre but fought back the tears to reveal his desire for a swift return to action.

Coach Paul Stevenson says he remains convinced that Dickens will develop into a “world class” fighter and says the defeat to bitter rival Galahad will prove an invaluable learning experience.

“We wanted him to know how proud of him we were,” Stevenson said.

“Jazza did not let himself or anyone else down.

“I thought he fought with credit, heart and the skills we all expect.

“He gave everything he had but he got caught.

“He’s only 22 and maybe needs to develop his physical maturity.

“He’s heartbroken but immediately after he said ‘that’s not the end of me’.

“He said ‘I’m going to be back and I will win belts’. All he was talking about was getting back in the gym and, as his coach, that is what you want to hear.

“We all believe that he will bounce back stronger.

“Jazza still has a bright future and I want him to regroup and get back in the gym.

“He will be British champion soon and I still believe he can become a world level fighter.

“I’d like to get him another fight in six or eight weeks.”

Dickens, now 16-1, had boxed the most disciplined fight of his pro career and was edging ahead on the scorecards as the end of the tight contest neared.

Rounds seven and eight were particular high points for the talented Everton Red Triangle southpaw but his energy levels plummeted dramatically thereafter.

Stevenson believes that Galahad’s greater ‘big fight’ experience proved a factor as he remained fresh when the contest moved into the home stretch.

But Dickens’ trainer also felt his man was given insufficient protection from referee Green.

It took the official until round nine to deduct a point from Galahad for persistently pushing Dickens’ head down.

Stevenson and brother Mick, also Dickens’ coach, continually voiced their anger at Green from ringside.

“Going into the 10th we knew Jazza was ahead but we also knew that he was fading,” said Stevenson.

“It was a big fight for Jazza, it was live on national television, there was needle going in and it was a fight he desperately wanted to win.

“Jazza was relaxed in the build-up but there was a lot of pressure on someone who is only 22.

“When I was 22 I certainly wasn’t fighting on national television in front of millions of people. Kid Galahad perhaps dealt with the occasion better.

“And so that little bit of inexperience in managing stamina was also a factor.

“Before the 10th round, we told him to go for a little walk but to do that you need your opponent to play ball. Galahad knew that he was behind so went for Jazza.

“Kid won the fight fair and square.

“But we felt he was allowed to get away with a lot. He was pushing Jazza’s head down a lot and throwing uppercuts. Taking those takes a lot out of you and you struggle to come back from that.

“We were screaming at the referee because we didn’t feel he was protecting Jazza.”

Dickens’ manager Steve Wood is also keen to see the former ABA champion return to the ring as soon as possible.

And Wood believes defeat will only serve to increase Dickens’ desire for success.

“I was watching the fight closely and every round was close,” he said.

“Because we were away from home I was a bit worried and so I wasn’t confident. But after the fight I looked at the judges’ cards and he was in front. If he had stayed on his feet then he would’ve been British champion.

“He had a big eighth round and I thought he was going to push on from there but he didn’t.

“The occasion might have been a bit too much for him. It is the first time he’s been in a big title fight whereas Galahad’s had it on a couple of occasions.

“But it’s all experience and I can confidently say that in 12 months’ time he will be back fighting for the British title.

“Boxing is Jazza’s life so I don’t think keeping him out of the ring for a couple of months is the right thing.

“I don’t think we need to mess around with six rounders anymore. He’s proved he can fight at British title level. He’s had his education and the big guys in the division domestically are at world level. It is a defeat but he has still come out with a lot of credit. Sometimes from the adversity of losses you become a better fighter.”